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Northern Honeysuckle, Lonicera villosa (michx.) R. & S.
Caprifoliaceae

Height: A small, low shrub with upright branches, usually less than 1 m high. New shoots and leaves have a bluish-purple cast which gives a bluish “bloom” effect to the bush.

Twigs: Hairy and medium brown in color. Older branches are smooth and flaky.

Buds: Winter buds are somewhat pressed towards the twig, sharp-pointed, reddish-brown, and covered by 2 scales. Also, the buds are raised on persistent leaf bases. Papery scales separate the newer growth from that of the pervious year. The opposing leaf scars are connected by lines.

Leaves: Opposite, nearly sessile, oblong or oval-shaped, rounded at the tip, firm textured and 1.2-5 cm long. The margin and both surfaces are hairy. The uppersurface is dark green and the undersurface pale green or whitened.

Flowers: Are paired, borne on short peduncles in the leaf axils. They are pale yellow, funnel-shaped and 5-lobed, and about 1.5 cm long. Blooms from late May to late June.

Fruit: Dark blue berries, edible, juicy, and contain many fine seeds. They are usually hidden benath the leaves. Ripen by mid or late July and drop by mid August

Habitat: Found in fens, bogs, wet heaths and wet meadows, along shores of ponds, brooks, and in other wet places. May also occur in more exposed habitats, such as rocky barrens. Occurs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

General: The Northern Honeysuckle has an unusual characteristic. After the flowers have dropped, the two adjoining ovaries grow together, becoming surrounded by a fleshy cup. The resulting berry is two-eyed, suggesting its duplex origin.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995